A ten percent federal tax penalty generally applies to taxable withdrawals from annuities and qualified plans taken before the owner reaches age:

Explanation

The ten percent early-distribution penalty generally applies to taxable amounts withdrawn before age 59 1/2, on top of ordinary income tax, to discourage using retirement-oriented products for early spending. Ages 65, 70, and 50 are not the general threshold (65 is a common retirement/Medicare age, and required minimum distributions begin later). The 59 1/2 figure is one of the most frequently tested numbers in life and annuity taxation.